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The Life of Pedro Morales and the Legacy He Left Behind | The Chairshot
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Opinion

The Life of Pedro Morales and the Legacy He Left Behind

A look back at the storied career of WWE legend Pedro Morales!

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Mason Epenter takes a look back at the storied career of WWE legend Pedro Morales!

Recently, the world of professional wrestling was informed of the tragic news that former WWWF (World) Heavyweight Champion Pedro Morales passed away on February 12, 2019, at the age of 76.

Pedro was an incredible talent who had a career that lasted for 28 years! Not only was he the first Latino WWE Champion, but he was also the first Triple Crown Champion (World Champion, Tag Team Champion, and Intercontinental Champion), and stayed the only Triple Crown Champion in WWE for 12 years. Pedro was a true inspiration to many, especially to all of the Hispanic wrestlers. Today, I take a look into the life of Pedro and the legacy he left behind.

Pedro made his debut in 1959 in New York City in a winning effort against Howard LaVine. Throughout the next few years, Pedro toured around the East Coast and even teamed with inaugural WWE Tag Team Champions Miguel Pérez Jr. and Argentina Apollo. Pedro’s career started to pick up in 1965 when he started to wrestle full-time for Worldwide Wrestling Associates (WWA) based out of California. He defeated many credible challengers before winning the WWA World Heavyweight Championship from Dick Beyer on March 12, 1965, just months after his WWA debut. Pedro continued to pick up a lot of consecutive victories, including a rematch against Dick Beyer within the next few months. On July 23, 1965, Morales dropped the WWA Championship to Luke Graham before winning it back on October 17, 1965. During his WWA Title reign, Pedro claimed his first of four WWA World Tag Team Championship with Luis Hernandez. On August 5, 1966, Pedro dropped the World Championship to Buddy Austin. After dropping the WWA World Heavyweight Championship, Pedro stayed in the midcard and tag team division for his remaining two years in the WWA.

In late-1968, Pedro started with Mid-Pacific Promotions. He started on a roll by quickly winning the Hawaii Heavyweight Championship in 1969. He also won the Hawaii Tag Team Championship three times with Ed Francis twice and Bing Ki Lee once.

Pedro Morales made his first full-time debut with the WWWF in November 1970.

Pedro made his first full-time debut with the WWWF in November 1970 by teaming with Chief Jay Strongbow against The Mongols, a match that ended in a draw. On January 7, 1971, Pedro defeated Freddie Blassie to win the vacant WWWF United States Heavyweight Championship (not to be confused with the current WWE United States Championship, this title was deactivated in 1976) This title reign didn’t last very long though, because Pedro won the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship a month and one day later. On February 8, 1972, Pedro defeated Ivan Koloff in Madison Square Garden to become the WWWF World Heavyweight Champion, the first Latino Superstar to claim such an honor.

Unfortunately, Pedro lost the right to be able to call himself “World Champion” after the WWWF rejoined the NWA hours later and the NWA forced the WWWF to drop the “World” from the title, making him the WWWF Heavyweight Champion. He went onto hold the title for 1,027 days. Pedro’s reign included defenses against George Steele and an incredible defense against Bruno Sammartino in a match that last over an hour at the 1972 Showdown at Shea event. Eventually, Pedro’s amazing reign came to an end when Stan Stasiak defeated him on December 1, 1973. Through the next year-and-a-half, Pedro stayed dominating through the upper-midcard before eventually leaving the WWWF in March of ’75.

Throughout the next five years, Pedro went to San Francisco, Florida, Canada, Japan, and minor stints throughout the entire world. In San Francisco, Pedro won the NWA San Francisco Tag Team Championship. In Florida, he won the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Pedro toured the world, usually winning, the only notable loses he had was the multiple times he challenged for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, losing each time. If anybody didn’t know who Pedro Morales was before his world tour, they did now.

In 1980, Pedro returned to the WWF (The WWF dropped the second W, “Wide”) and quickly won the WWF World Tag Team Championship with WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund, although due to Backlund being Heavyweight Champion, Morales and Backlund had to vacate the titles. On December 8, 1980, Pedro won the WWF Intercontinental Championship from Ken Patera, making himself the first Triple Crown Champion in WWE history. Pedro had a long on-and-off rivalry with Don Muraco for the title through the next two-and-a-half years, which included two title changes, Muraco winning the belt, and Pedro winning it back, making him the first two-time Intercontinental Champion. On January 22, 1983, Muraco got the last laugh when he won the Intercontinental Title from Pedro, and Pedro never took it back. Throughout the next five years, Pedro spent a lot of time doing international tours for the WWF, most notably in Puerto Rico and in New-Japan Pro Wrestling. He stayed in the upper-midcard for the next five years, his only WrestleMania match was at WrestleMania 2 in the WWF vs. NFL Battle Royal. His final match was a Battle Royal on November 16, 1987.

Pedro was a part of the Class of 1995 WWE Hall of Fame.

Pedro was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995. He moved away from pro wrestling in the 2000s, blaming the over-characterization of today’s content as the reason. Pedro lives on forever in the hearts of every wrestling fan. He left his legacy as the first Latino WWE Champion, and the first WWE Triple Crown Champion. He is an incredible inspiration to many Latino (and just in-general) Superstars in this business.

To Pedro: You were a man who turned a dream into a reality, a reality into a lifestyle, a lifestyle into a legacy, and a legacy into something to aspire to be. You will be missed by everyone who ever laid their eyes on you. May you forever Rest in Peace.

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

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Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

  • AJ – Roxanne Perez
  • Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
  • Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
  • DJ – Naomi
  • DPP – Roxanne Perez
  • Jason – Alexa Bliss
  • Patrick – Roxanne Perez
  • Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
  • Rob – Naomi
  • Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

  • AJ – LA Knight
  • Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
  • Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
  • DJ – LA Knight
  • DPP – El Grande Americano
  • Jason – LA Knight
  • Patrick – Solo Sikoa
  • Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
  • Rob – Solo Sikoa
  • Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

 

  • AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
  • Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
  • Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
  • DJ – Lyra Valkyria
  • DPP – Becky Lynch
  • Jason – Becky Lynch
  • Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
  • Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
  • Rob – Becky Lynch
  • Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

  • AJ – Cena & Paul
  • Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
  • Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
  • DJ – Rhodes & Uso
  • DPP – Rhodes & Uso
  • Jason – Cena & Paul
  • Patrick – Cena & Paul
  • Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
  • Rob – Cena & Paul
  • Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

  • AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
  • Andrew – @IWCWarChief
  • Dave – @AttitudeAgg
  • DJ – @TheMindlessPod
  • DPP – @itsmeDPP
  • Jason – @JediFett
  • Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
  • Rey – @itsreycash
  • Rob – @rbonne1
  • Greg – @gregdemarco44
  • PC – @PCTunney
  • TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY – 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY – POD is WAR (Los Tres Friends)

FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

 


Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Listen on your favorite platform!

iTunes  |  iHeart Radio  |  Google Play  |  Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Continue Reading

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

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May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

  • AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
  • Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
  • Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
  • DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
  • DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
  • Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
  • Patrick – Gunther
  • Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
  • Rob – Gunther
  • Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

  • AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
  • Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
  • Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
  • DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
  • DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
  • Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
  • Patrick – Becky Lynch
  • Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
  • Rob – Lyra Valkyria
  • Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

 

  • AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
  • Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
  • Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
  • DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
  • DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
  • Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
  • Patrick – Jacob Fatu
  • Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
  • Rob – Jacob Fatu
  • Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0 

 

  • AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
  • Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
  • Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
  • DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
  • DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
  • Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
  • Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
  • Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
  • Rob – Dominic Mysterio
  • Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

 

  • AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
  • Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
  • Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
  • DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
  • DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
  • Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
  • Patrick – John Cena
  • Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
  • Rob – John Cena
  • Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

  • AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
  • Andrew – @IWCWarChief
  • Dave – @AttitudeAgg
  • DJ – @TheMindlessPod
  • DPP – @itsmeDPP
  • Jason – @JediFett
  • Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
  • Rey – @itsreycash
  • Rob – @rbonne1
  • Greg – @gregdemarco44
  • PC – @PCTunney
  • TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY – 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY – POD is WAR (Los Tres Friends)

FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

 


Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Listen on your favorite platform!

iTunes  |  iHeart Radio  |  Google Play  |  Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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